Primordial Era: A brick knocks Hongyun unconscious, and he seizes the throne at the start.

Chapter 16 Refuge at Wuzhuang Temple, Ginseng Fruit Feast

Buzhou Mountain is the ancestral home of the Wu tribe.

When Lu Chen stepped into the ancient altar surrounded by twelve towering pillars, using Zhu Rong's blood essence as a token, twelve pairs of eyes, like the awakening of primordial beasts, simultaneously locked onto him.

"Human? Yet they carry the essence and blood of Zhu Rong's brothers?"

The speaker sat high on the central stone throne, with a human face and a tiger's body, and wings on his back; he was none other than Dijiang, the leader of the Twelve Ancestral Witches. His voice echoed in the altar, each word carrying a spatial tremor.

Lu Chen, neither humble nor arrogant, bowed and said, "This junior is Lu Chen. I received blood from the Ancestral Witch Zhurong at the Pangu Palace and have come to pay my respects today."

"Pangu Palace?" A giant engulfed in crimson flames rose from the left; it was Zhu Rong. His copper-bell-like eyes stared at Lu Chen: "That drop of essence blood... you actually refined it?"

"I succeeded by sheer luck." Lu Chen activated the essence blood of Zhu Rong within his body, and crimson patterns immediately appeared under his skin, spreading out a scorching aura.

"Excellent!" Zhu Rong laughed. "Those who can withstand my essence and blood without dying are qualified to enter the land of my Witch Clan!"

The other ancestral witches' expressions softened slightly. Gonggong snorted coldly, but said nothing more.

"You've come here for more than just a visit, haven't you?" Dijiang's gaze was piercing.

Lu Chen took a deep breath: "This junior brings two gifts, one is news, and the other is an opportunity."

"explain."

"The news is: the demon clan's Donghuang Taiyi has obtained the Chaos Bell and is joining forces with Dijun to recruit all the demons of the primordial world, intending to establish a Heavenly Court. One of their targets is the Wu clan—the ancestral land of Buzhou Mountain, which was formed from the spine of the father god Pangu."

The atmosphere inside the altar suddenly plummeted to freezing point.

"Demons? Those creatures with fur and horns, born from eggs and moisture, dare to covet the ancestral land of our Father God?" Jumang (the Ancestral Witch of Wood) said in a cold voice.

"They possess the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array," Lu Chen added. "Although not complete, it is already taking shape. If this array is fully formed, it can draw upon the power of the stars, making it infinitely powerful."

He selectively shared the information about the array diagram he had obtained from Kunpeng, focusing on the parts he could explain.

The ancestral witches' expressions turned solemn. They did not cultivate their primordial spirit, but focused on refining their physical bodies. Although they were not proficient in formations, they were aware of the prestige of the Zhou Tian Star Array.

"What about the opportunity?" Houtu (the ancestral witch of earth, who will also be the one to reincarnate in the future) asked gently.

Lu Chen took out half of the Primordial Purple Qi—of course, it was concealed, only revealing a trace of the aura of the laws of Pangu.

"Buzz—"

The moment the purple aura appeared, the twelve Ancestral Witches rose simultaneously! Pangu's bloodline surged within the altar, and they sensed the purest source of power belonging to the Father God from this purple aura!

"This is... the power left behind by the Father God?!" Dijiang's voice was filled with rare excitement.

"Indeed." Lu Chen nodded. "This item was obtained by chance and contains the true essence of the law of power. The Wu Clan is formed from the essence of Pangu's blood. If one comprehends this item, one may be able to awaken more of the Father God's legacy deep within their bloodline."

This is the truth. The Witch Clan does not cultivate their primordial spirit and cannot refine purple energy to become saints like cultivators. However, the fundamental law of power within this half-finished purple energy can greatly enhance their physical bodies and bloodline abilities!

Zhu Rong was the first to reach out: "Let me see!"

The purple aura flew in front of him. Zhu Rong focused his mind and sensed it for a moment. Suddenly, the flames on his body surged three zhang, and his aura visibly increased!

"It works!" The ancestral shamans were overjoyed.

Lu Chen said at the opportune moment, "This junior is willing to exchange this item for a promise from the Wu Clan."

"What promise?"

"In the future great calamity, if I am hunted down by the demon race or the Western Sect, the Witch Clan must protect me three times." Lu Chen held up three fingers. "That's all."

This requirement is too lenient for the Wu tribe.

Dijiang answered almost without hesitation: "Agreed! This item is of great significance to the Wu Clan. Let alone three times, thirty times is acceptable! From this day forward, you are a distinguished guest of our Wu Clan. With this token, you may freely enter and exit any Wu Clan tribe on Buzhou Mountain!"

He tossed over a bone token engraved with the totems of the twelve ancestral witches.

"Thank you, Dijiang Ancestral Witch." Lu Chen accepted the gift, knowing that the relationship had been initially established.

He initially wanted to bring up the matter of the theft at Treasure Sharing Cliff being exposed again, asking the Witch Clan for help in covering it up. But then he thought that this matter was too far-reaching, and it would be unwise to drag the Witch Clan into the mess too early.

"I have another matter to discuss," Lu Chen said. "Jieyin, Zhunti, Kunpeng, Styx, and Taiyi are currently engaged in a fierce battle in the west. Regardless of the outcome of this battle, the prehistoric landscape will undergo a dramatic change. The Wu Clan should make preparations as soon as possible."

Dijiang nodded: "We are already aware of this matter. You may go now. If you encounter any difficulties, you may come to Buzhou Mountain at any time."

Lu Chen bowed and took his leave.

After leaving the ancestral land of the Wu clan, he did not return directly to Wuzhuang Temple, but instead detoured to the vicinity of the East Sea Dragon Palace—he needed to first investigate the movements of the demon clan.

As soon as we approached the East China Sea, we sensed an overwhelming demonic aura!

Above the East Sea, banners fluttered as millions of demons assembled. High in the sky, Di Jun and Tai Yi stood side by side, the former using the illusory images of the Hetu and Luoshu above his head to deduce the secrets of heaven, while the latter held the Chaos Bell, whose tolling commanded the submission of all demons.

What alarmed Lu Chen even more was that Kunpeng was among the army! Although he appeared to be still recovering from his injuries, he had clearly reached some kind of cooperation with the demon race.

"Kunpeng has indeed sided with the demon race..." Lu Chen hid in the clouds, concealing his aura.

At this moment, he overheard the conversation between the two demon generals below:

"Have you heard? The Kunpeng Demon Master presented a portion of the Zhou Tian Star Array's diagram, and His Majesty was overjoyed, bestowing upon him the title of Master of Ten Thousand Demons!"

"That's not all! The Demon Master also identified a human named 'Lu Chen,' claiming that he stole most of the treasures from the Treasure Sharing Cliff! His Majesty has ordered a nationwide manhunt for this man; he must be found alive or dead!"

"Tsk tsk, they're really bold, daring to steal even the Dao Ancestor's treasure..."

Lu Chen's heart sank upon hearing this.

As expected, Kunpeng poured all the dirty water on them. And this guy was ruthless enough to use exaggerated claims like "most of the treasures at the Treasure Sharing Cliff" in order to gain Dijun's trust—in reality, Lu Chen only took about 30%.

"We need to get back to Wuzhuang Temple quickly."

He quietly retreated and flew at full speed towards Longevity Hill.

Three days later, at Wuzhuang Temple.

As soon as Lu Chen landed, Qingfeng and Mingyue hurriedly pulled him into the inner courtyard.

"Senior Brother Lu Chen, you're finally back! Master and Uncle Hongyun are so worried!"

Inside the courtyard, Zhen Yuanzi and Hongyun were discussing something under the ginseng fruit tree. When they saw Lu Chen return, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Young friend, it's good that you're alright," Zhen Yuanzi said. "The demon race's wanted notice has spread throughout the prehistoric world, and you are now the target of everyone's attacks."

Hongyun handed over a jade slip: "I got this from a fellow Daoist. Take a look."

Lu Chen scanned the jade slip with his divine sense, and saw a wanted image of the demon race—his face was clearly visible. Below it was written: [Human Lu Chen, who stole a precious treasure from the Dao Ancestor's Treasure Sharing Cliff and killed a demon general, is guilty of heinous crimes. A reward of one acquired spiritual treasure will be given for providing clues; a reward of one innate spiritual treasure will be given for capturing or killing him!]

"Killed a demon general?" Lu Chen frowned. "When did I ever kill a demon general?"

"It was Kunpeng who fabricated it," Zhen Yuanzi sneered. "He needs to concoct enough charges against you so that Dijun and Taiyi will hunt you down with all their might. Killing a demon general and stealing the Dao Ancestor's treasure—these two charges are enough to make you die ten thousand times over."

Lu Chen was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "That's fine. Too many lice don't itch, too much debt doesn't worry."

Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi were both surprised to see him still able to laugh.

"Young friend, do you have a plan?"

"Yes, but it will take time," Lu Chen said. "The most urgent thing is to lay low. The demon race is currently very powerful and has a wanted poster in hand. If I show my face in public, I will definitely be attacked."

"You may stay at Wuzhuang Temple," Zhen Yuanzi said solemnly. "My Longevity Mountain is protected by the Primordial Earth Formation and suppressed by the Earth Book. Unless a sage personally arrives, no one can break in."

"Thank you, senior." Lu Chen said gratefully, but also reminded them, "However, Jieyin and Zhunti already know I'm here. If they try anything underhanded..."

"They wouldn't dare," Zhen Yuanzi said proudly. "Wuzhuang Temple is not a place where they can run wild."

Hongyun also said, "I am here as well, which is a good opportunity to consolidate my cultivation. If the three of us join forces, we can hold our own even if Taiyi himself comes."

Lu Chen felt somewhat relieved.

He stayed at Wuzhuang Temple for the next few days.

During the day, he discusses the Dao with Zhen Yuanzi, learning the profound mysteries of the Earth Immortal's methods; at night, he spars with Hongyun, verifying the power of supernatural abilities. In his spare time, he helps Qingfeng and Mingyue tend the herb garden, or meditates under the ginseng fruit tree.

The ginseng fruit tree truly lives up to its reputation as an innate spiritual root; cultivating under its shade yields twice the results with half the effort. Lu Chen, aided by a wisp of primordial purple energy, steadily improved his cultivation, and his understanding of the laws of power deepened.

A month later, Zhen Yuanzi suddenly suggested, "Today is the day the ginseng fruit ripens once every nine thousand years, and just right, three fruits have ripened. Let the three of us each eat one, as a way of celebrating our young friend's escape from danger."

Ginseng fruit!

Lu Chen's eyes lit up. This fruit could grant one 360 ​​years of life just by smelling it, and 47,000 years by eating one. It could also enhance one's cultivation and solidify one's foundation.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

With a gentle breeze and bright moon, three fruits were knocked down with a golden mallet. They were shaped like infants and had a wonderful aroma.

Each of the three people took one.

Lu Chen took a bite, the fruit flesh melting instantly in his mouth, transforming into a surge of spiritual energy that flowed into his limbs and bones. His cultivation, already at the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, loosened instantly, propelling him towards the threshold of the Daluo Golden Immortal realm!

"Good fruit!" he exclaimed.

As they were eating, a loud phoenix cry suddenly came from outside the temple.

Immediately afterwards, a beam of fire fell into the courtyard and transformed into a girl in red—the very same Bluebird Messenger under the Queen Mother of the West.

"Greetings, Great Immortal Zhenyuan and Ancestor Hongyun." Qingniao bowed, then looked at Lu Chen, "This must be Fellow Daoist Lu Chen? My lady invites you in."

"The Queen Mother of the West is looking for me?" Lu Chen asked in surprise.

"Indeed." The Azure Bird took out a replica of the Kunlun Mirror, the surface of which reflected the phantom of the Queen Mother of the West. "Young friend Lu Chen, I know you are in danger. If you are willing to come to Kunlun Mountain for temporary refuge, I can guarantee your safety. There is also an opportunity that may be beneficial to you."

The Queen Mother of the West in the mirror looked solemn.

Lu Chen looked at Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun.

Zhen Yuanzi pondered and said, "Fellow Daoist Xi Wangmu is in charge of female immortals. Kunlun Mountain is a place where innate spiritual veins converge, so it is indeed safe. Moreover, she has never participated in the battles of the primordial world, so the demon race does not dare to offend her easily."

Hongyun also said, "Young friend, you may go there. Zhen Yuanzi and I are here; if the demons come, we will have a plan."

Lu Chen thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you."

He also wanted to see what the "opportunity" that the Queen Mother of the West spoke of was.

After bidding farewell to the two, Lu Chen flew with the bluebird to Kunlun Mountain.